2024 retention · County Court · Denver County
The state did not publish a 2024 survey report: too few responses. This evaluation is not ranked.
Commission: meets standards (5–0)
The Denver County Court Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0 that Honorable Judge Nicole M. Rodarte MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Rodarte served as presiding judge from 2022 to 2024 and in this position oversaw approximately 300 staff members. She was a strong advocate for Denver County Court staff and empowered employees, which resulted in increased leadership opportunities, equitable work-from-home policy, and employee retention. During her time as presiding judge, she was responsible for implementing multiple legislative bills that required significant changes within the court, including the 48-hour bail bill, livestreaming, and virtual bonding. When she became presiding judge, she continued oversight of the in-person return to the courthouse after the pandemic. She chaired the Court’s IT committee, which was responsible for implementing new legislation and maintaining virtual hearings following the pandemic. As a judge she is known for being fair, very well prepared, and running an efficient docket. She communicates clearly and directly and with appropriate authority. She offers extensive feedback to new attorneys, particularly in trial skills. Mentorship is available to all young lawyers who appear in front of her, and she takes her responsibility in guiding the next generation of attorneys very seriously. She welcomes secondary students into her courtroom and offers them an educational perspective on law and procedure.
In evaluating Judge Rodarte, the commission used live, livestream and recorded courtroom observations, conducted a personal interview with the judicial officer, case management data and reviewed surveys from attorney and non-attorney courtroom participants, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, and the judicial officer self-evaluation, with supporting documents when submitted, to inform its decision for meets/does not meet performance standards.
Judge Rodarte was appointed to the bench in January of 2013. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1994 and her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1998. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office and in private practice. Judge Rodarte is a member of the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the Colorado Women’s, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, LGBTQ+, Sam Cary, and Municipal Judges Bar Associations. She volunteers for various events and organizations, including speaking on panels regarding leadership, serving as a mentor for Law School Yes We Can/Si Se Puede, and calling numbers for Volunteers of America Senior Bingo night.
2020 retention · County Court · Denver County
50 percentile · rank 19 of 37
composite 0100
43 percentile · rank 57 of 100
composite 0100
49 91st percentile among peers · 81st percentile statewide
380
Composite index 45.05 among peers (44.17 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.50 of 4 · 58.11 percentile
1.504.00
3.55 of 4 · 56.76 percentile
1.503.95
74.00% 20.27 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 74.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 100.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.60median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.40median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Communications | 3.50median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Diligence | 3.50median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Demeanor | 3.30median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Fairness | 4.00median 3.90 | 3.90 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously finds that Judge Nicole M. Rodarte MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Rodarte received ratings slightly above the statewide average among all County Court judges standing for retention with regard case management, application and knowledge of law, and diligence. For communications she received an average score and her demeanor score was just slightly below average. Scores from non-attorneys were very high in all categories. The Commission was impressed with her overall ratings and the positive comments from those who answered the survey, including that she is “very professional and compassionate,” has a “measured sense of justice,” she is “fair,” “honest,” and “knows the law and carefully applies it.” Judge Rodarte routinely sends thank you notes to jurors and trial participants. Based on all the aforementioned considerations, the Judicial Performance Commission recommends that Judge Rodarte meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Rodarte, reviewed orders she authored, reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Rodarte and select members of the Commission observed Judge Rodarte in court, either live or via recording. Those surveyed were asked, “based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Rodarte meets judicial performance standards?” Of the 25 attorneys responding to the surveys, 74% believe that Judge Rodarte meets performance standards, 22% believe she does not meet performance standards, and 4% had no opinion. Of the 24 non-attorneys who responded to that question, 100% believe the Judge Rodarte meets performance standards.
Mayor Hancock appointed Judge Rodarte to the Denver County Court in 2013. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Rodarte was in private practice focusing on criminal defense and she previously served for several years as a Deputy Colorado State Public Defender. Judge Rodarte is a Denver native. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado-Denver and her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado. Judge Rodarte has demonstrated a commitment to community service and is active in the Colorado Women’s Bar, The Colorado Hispanic Bar and the Colorado LGBT Bar Association.
2016 retention · County Court · Denver County
84 percentile · rank 6 of 36
composite 0100
85 percentile · rank 16 of 108
composite 0100
97 73rd percentile among peers · 68th percentile statewide
5140
Composite index 79.17 among peers (82.72 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.73 of 4 · 84.72 percentile
3.113.84
3.71 of 4 · 84.72 percentile
3.023.84
90.00% 68.06 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.66
- Say “meets standards”
- 90.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.76
- Say “meets standards”
- 96.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.71median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.69median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Communications | 3.71median 3.65 | 3.65 | |
| Diligence | 3.67median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Demeanor | 3.75median 3.62 | 3.62 | |
| Fairness | 3.76median 3.66 | 3.66 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously recommends that Judge Nicole M. Rodarte BE RETAINED.
Judge Rodarte was appointed by Mayor Michael Hancock to the Denver County Court for a term beginning in January 2013. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Rodarte was in private practice focusing on criminal defense. Before entering private practice, she served for several years in the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. A Denver native and graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado-Denver and Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado. Judge Rodarte has demonstrated a commitment to community service and is active in the Colorado Women’s Bar, The Colorado Hispanic Bar and the Colorado LGBT Bar Association. She is District Director of the National Association of Women Judges and chairs the Sheriff’s Committee which aims to resolve issues between the court and the Denver Sheriff’s Department.
Judge Rodarte previously served in the municipal criminal court and while assigned there presided over the Homeless Court, a specialty court created to assist homeless people who have successfully connected to services, but who have outstanding criminal warrants preventing them from accessing such services. She currently hears state criminal cases. The Commission reviewed survey results of attorneys and non-attorneys who have appeared in her courtroom. The Commission also conducted a personal interview with the judge, reviewed her self-evaluation and several opinions and transcripts. Selected members of the Commission observed Judge Rodarte in court. Of all attorneys completing surveys 90% recommended retention, 8% recommended not to retain, and 4% made no recommendation. Of non-attorneys completing surveys 96% recommended retention, 2% recommended she not be retained, and 1% made no recommendation. (These percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.)
The Commission was impressed with Judge Rodarte’s overall ratings and the positive comments concerning her performance. Her survey results for case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, demeanor, fairness and diligence exceeded the average combined ratings of all county judges by every measure. Judge Rodarte is described as being an excellent and fair judge who treats all parties and counsel with a high level of respect and compassion. She routinely sends thank you notes to jurors and trial participants and receives praise for her service in return.